Regional Practice Lead - Criminal Law (Western Melbourne/Werribee)

Salary Offering: $100,000 – $115,000 depending on experience plus 11% Superannuation 

This position is full time 30th of June 2025

Locations hiring for:

West Melbourne – Werribee

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:

As Regional Practice Lead, you will have 4+ years of practical experience in Criminal Law and act as a lead advocate for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people interacting with the criminal justice system. 

This position will:

• Provide high quality legal services in Criminal Law matters, including duty lawyer services, representation, advice and information to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
• Engage with Aboriginal community stakeholders to identify key community legal education (CLE) needs relevant to the regional and local context.
• Link with, and oversee the development of, partnerships and referral and support pathways within the region you’re assigned in, to assist VALS clients with access to other legal assistance and services relevant to them. This includes oversight of Aboriginal client service officers (CSOs) and administrative support based at the each VALS regional hub.

The role holder will have the endorsement or is eligible to become a Panel Certifier on Victorian Legal Aid (VLA) Criminal Law Panel.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Appear as a senior advocate in various courts including the Children’s Court Criminal Division, Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Koori Courts in order to represent clients of VALS
• Deliver a quality legal service by conducting casework in Criminal Law matters, including serious indictable matters, for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients in the Barwon South West region.
• As a back-up, participate in the on call after hours roster to provide emergency advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria. As a priority, providing legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in police custody
• Prepare and comply with applications for grants of legal assistance and reporting requirements for matters eligible for VLA funding.
• Participate in case-planning meetings with the Criminal Law section weekly
• Partner with service providers and Aboriginal community stakeholders in the region to plan and deliver CLE and professional legal education.
• Oversee the work of CSOs within the team including in 1:1 assistance to clients and in developing referral pathways and partnerships relevant to VALS clients.
• Develop collaborative relationships with VLA and other community legal centres and service providers with which VALS interacts.
• Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures and maintain an understanding of issues, risks and trends impacting upon the provision of legal services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
• Participates in ongoing training and staff development and acts and remains professional at all times, upholding VALS values.
• As directed, undertake other duties as directed which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence, and training.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria and in the High Court of Australia (with an unrestricted practising certificate)
• Capability to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex Criminal Law matters, with knowledge of, and practical experience in the law and court procedures within the Criminal Law jurisdiction
• Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and volunteers and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in Criminal Law
• Sound interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and more broadly with multidisciplinary colleagues and VALS partners
• A commitment to and understanding of VALS and the legal issues faced by members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria
• Basic competency in the use of MS Office Software (particularly MS Word, Excel, E-mail) and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of VALS’ client management system.

Desirable:

• Member or eligible to be a Victoria Legal Aid Panel member for summary, indictable and youth matters
• Accredited Criminal Law Specialist
• Experience working in the non-profit sector.

Please find information on how to apply below.